Quad bikes have now overtaken tractors as the leading cause of
fatal farm accidents. Nearly one third (31 percent) of farm
deaths in 2011 were caused by quad bikes, while 17 percent were
tractor-related.

"And too many of these fatalities involve children under
16 years of age," McKenzie says.

"Quad bikes can be very useful farm vehicles, but I cannot
stress enough that they need to be used with appropriate safety
measures in place.

"It's not just farmers getting killed by these vehicles, but
children and workers. These accidents reverberate through entire
rural communities."

The most recent death was a nine-year-old boy, who was crushed
to death by a quad bike on a property near Holbrook, New South
Wales.

"Riders must wear helmets and other protective clothing, and
farmers must make sure all quad bike riders are properly trained to
use the vehicle and that the quad bikes are in safe operating
condition.

"They must not allow children on these machines, which can weigh
up to 500kg.

"It's up to the farmer to decide to install a crush protection
device. It's not a legal requirement but evidence suggests their
use should be seriously considered."

The safety warning comes after quad bike sales jumped by 18 per
cent in 2011, making up more than one in every five motorcycles
sold in Australia last year.

Looking to buy an all-terrain vehicle, farm bike or quad
bike? See the July issue of Blue's featuring an exclusive
guide to buying ATVs, farm bikes and quad bikes. To secure your
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